Where the kings play The Sport of Kings

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R A C I N G & P O L O C L U B S E A S O N 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8 Where the kings play The Sport of Kings Celebrating the glory of polo for 24 years.

1 R A C I N G & P O L O C L U B S E A S O N Where the kings play The Sport of Kings Celebrating the glory of polo for Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club P.O. Box 7144 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel: +971 (0) Fax: +971 (0)

INTRODUCTION Ghantoot Racing & Polo club has over 20 Year s experience of delivering Bespoke sponsorship and branding partner packages suited to your company s existing communication agenda.

2 INTRODUCTION Ghantoot Racing & Polo club has over 20 Year s experience of delivering Bespoke sponsorship and branding partner packages suited to your company s existing communication agenda. Although polo is regarded as a seasonal sport we are fully operational all year round, allowing greater exposure to our partners. Sponsor a team, a match, a tournament or the entire season reach a premium target audience, have exclusive product placement rights, see tangible results and reap the benefits of being associated with the sport of kings. Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club would like to invite your company to be part of a new exciting year in the Ghantoot Polo Club, Abu Dhabi. The Companies who have supported and sponsored in the past years have been delighted to come back to enjoy the game again & again. Thank you for your fantastic support.

3 Where the kings play The Sport of Kings Where Polo is the ultimate passion... The United Arab Emirates is rapidly carving a distinct niche for itself on the world polo circuit, with Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club leading the way. Founded in 1997 Under the visionary chairmanship of Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, son of the President of the UAE, the Club has been making its presence felt as one of the world's best polo destinations and enhancing the Polo sport in the United Arab Emirates An Elite Elegant Experience Fantastically landscaped over 300 hectares on the Abu Dhabi - Dubai boarder. Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club is strategically positioned between the fast growing business community with the best communication and traffic access within a peaceful green environment. Surrounded by a comfortable modern infrastructure for sports and entertainment ready to suit every social event imaginable. Ghantoot is located between the two high profile cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Fully Equipped for Polo Championships The Club claims with pride seven grass polo fields and two stick & ball fields built to international standards, three of which are floodlit, making it one of the most outstanding polo clubs in the world and certainly the best in the Middle East. A Haven to Horses Over 250 polo ponies groomed and trained are stable at the premises, in nine air-conditioned stables and eight paddocks, Facilities are available at the club for stabling visiting horses and the Polo school is waiting to train the next top UAE Polo players. Ghantoot Polo Team In a very short time span, the Ghantoot polo team has blazed trails all over the competitive arena. Although the Club is one of the youngest in the world, its horse team has established an excellent reputation with international achievement.

HISTORY OF GHANTOOT Honoured guests at Ghantoot Since its founding in 1994, Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club has been graced by some of the most privileged dignitaries well as polo legends of our time.

4 HISTORY OF GHANTOOT Honoured guests at Ghantoot Since its founding in 1994, Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club has been graced by some of the most privileged dignitaries well as polo legends of our time. Encouraging UAE young national to dedicate their sporting time to the unique Polo sport. Royalty and Heads of State While the visits of the H.H Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, King of Bahrain, Prince Charles, Prince Harry and Sultan of Brunei stand testimony to the regal appeal of the Club and its activities, visits of the heads of state from Belarus and Tataristan have been golden moments for the Club. standards worthy benchmarks for nascent polo clubs to follow. The guest book of Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club is filled with memorable comments and compliments of honored guests from around the world, and the accolades keep coming in... Entertainment of a different kind Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club offers you the opportunity to participate in an enduring and emotional experience in terms of sport and brands, combined with the fabulously modern world of UAE. Top-Class entertainment and a harmonious coordinated program sequence which alternates between exciting dynamics and a day of leisure recall the typical polo lifestyle in its original form sporting prowess, consummate style, Top Players at Ghanoot The world famous Heguy brothers revered in the world of Polo, and participants at the H.H PRESIDENT OF UAE POLO CUP, have found the Club's facilities and

OUR FACILITIES The UAEs only Royal club boasts world-class polo and equestrian facilities and is recognised as one of the most prestigious clubs of its kind in the world.

5 OUR FACILITIES The UAEs only Royal club boasts world-class polo and equestrian facilities and is recognised as one of the most prestigious clubs of its kind in the world. Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club sprung up around the vision of the late President, His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and is today run under the patronage of his son, His Highness Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nayhan. Conveniently located just 40 minutes from Abu Dhabi city centre and 15 minutes from Dubai Marina, Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club often throws open its gates, inviting members of the public to enjoy polo tournaments, sporting events, music concerts and other festive activities hosted at the club.

However, if a team scores after the 7 minutes warning bell or if the ball touches the sideboards of the polo field, the chukker ends immediately.

6 THE BASIC RULES OF POLO Usually, a polo match is divided into 4 to 6 periods called chukkers (or chukkas). Each of these is 7.5 minutes long and at 7 minutes you will hear a warning bell before the final bell rings once more at the end of each chukker. However, if a team scores after the 7 minutes warning bell or if the ball touches the sideboards of the polo field, the chukker ends immediately. Since a chukker is rather tiring for the horses, the players have 4 minutes between the chukkers to switch horses. On a very hot day, some players may even change their horses during active play, often seen jumping straight from saddle to saddle without dismounting. If there is an equal amount of goals at the end of the chukkers, there is an overtime (for as many extra chukkers as it takes) in which it becomes a sudden death game. lower rated team before the game even starts based on the difference of handicaps between the two teams. Let s say, the team with the 8-goal team plays a team with a 10-goal team, then the 8-goal team will get a 2 point head start. However, open tournaments where teams play on the flat, indicating that the handicap of the teams do not matter with regard to scoring, each game starts at 0-0. THE POLO PLAYERS & HANDICAPS Each outdoor polo team consists of four players numbered 1, 2, 3, 4. Conversely, arena polo is only played with 3 players per team but in this article we have focused on outdoor polo exclusively. No 1 is generally the offensive player while No 4 plays defense. Players No 2 and 3 are often the most experienced players. No 3 is usually the field captain who delegates the ball, and No 2 is supposed push the play in the offense as well as the defense. None of them act as a permanent goal keeper. With only 4 players per team, each player should cover numerical opponent on the polo field. More so than in many other sports, many players only reach their peak after years of competitive play. POLO HANDICAPS Sir Winston Churchill once stated: A polo handicap is your passport to the world. Considering that polo is played all around the globe and it is not uncommon for top players to travel with their horses to different countries, he was certainly right. The polo handicap was invented by Henry Lloyd Herbert, the first president of the US Polo Association, in The idea behind this rating system was to match teams more evenly when pairing players of varying skill levels. A player s handicap is determined by a number of factors like sportsmanship, team play, scoring, and knowledge of polo, strategy and horsemanship. Players are rated from minus 2, representing the most novice player, to 10, representing the best player. While about two thirds of all ranked players worldwide have a handicap of 2 or below, only about a dozen players are ranked with a handicap of ten. A handicap of 5 is usually only achieved by professional players. Moreover, the ranking in Argentina the nation that has repeatedly produced many of the world s best polo players can be slightly different than rankings in the US, for example In any case, each team s handicap is the sum of the individuals handicaps; a team composed of 4 players with a handicap of 2 each would have a team handicap of 8, also referred to as an 8-goal team. In a handicap tournament, points are given to the

7 THE POLO FIELD The polo field is usually 200 yards wide by 300 yards long and the goals are 8 yards wide. In order to score a point, a player must hit the plastic ball between the goal posts it does not matter how high or low the ball is. Interestingly, after each goal, the game is resumed from the middle but the teams switch directions and aim for the opposite goal To ensure fair play, two mounted referees to so-called umpires are on the field as well, and a third man is located near the middle of the polo field to make decisions in case an umpire made a questionable call. Once a foul occurs, the umpire blows the whistle, which stops the clock. There are several lines on the field indicating where on spot, midfield, 60, 40and 30 yard penalties are taken from. POLO PONIES The horses are traditionally called ponies. Most of the time, they come from the race track and have to be trained subsequently to perform in a polo game. Many of the polo ponies are faster on short distances than race horses! Apart from that, polo ponies must be very agile and they are naturally the most essential part of the polo game. POLO EQUIPMENT 1. HELMET internally padded and sometimes with a face guard 2. SHIRT Polo Shirt 3. NUMBER 4. REINS for better control of the pony 5. WHIP 6. BIT Control of pony 7. MARTINGALE Prevents the pony from raising its head too high and hence protects the polo player 8. BREASTPLATE keeps saddle in place 9. GIRTH keeps the saddle and the polo player in the correct position 10. BANDAGES to protect the pony s legs 11. MALLET measures 48 to 54 inches in length; depends on pony height and reach of the player. Commonly made of bamboo and sometimes ash wood or maple. Ideally the ball is hit in the middle of the wide part 12. STIRRUP for the players feet 13. BOOTS brown or black almost knee high, with raised heels and often a zipper in the middle 14. KNEE GUARDS 15. PONY S TAIL must always be braided 16. BREECHES strictly white often times players just wear white jeans 17. GLOVES improves grip and protects hands 18. MANE shaved or roached to not interfere POLO GADGETS HELMET THE ONLY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT IS MANDATORY BY THE RULES. SADDLE PADS THIS ARE USUALLY USED TO ABSORB SWEAT, CUSHION THE SADDLE AND PROTECT THE HORSE S BACK. BRAIDED TAIL PREVENTS INTERFERENCE WITH THE MALLET. MALLET MOST MALLETS ARE MADE OF BAMBOO AND THE HEAD IS MADE UP OF HARD- WOOD. VARY IN LENGTH FROM 49 TO 54 DEPENDINGON THE HEIGHT OF THE HORSEAND THE PLAYERS PREFERENCE. BANDAGES USED FOR SUPPORT AND PROTECTION POLO BOOTS PROTECTS PLAYERS LEG FROM BUMPS & CONTACT BY BALL. PONY PRIMARILY THOROUGHBRED ALTHOUGH SOME QUARTER HORSE AND OTHER BREEDING CAN BE FOUND. CLIPPED MANE PREVENTS INTERFERENCE WITH THE PLAYERS REIN HAND. SADDLE & BRIDLE ENGLISH STYLE TACK. KNEE PADS COVERS THE KNEES ABOVE THE BOOT. POLO MARTINGALE INTENDED TO PREVENT THE HORSE S HEAD FROM GOING UP AND STRIKING THE PLAYERS FACE. BREAST PLATE USED TO KEEP THE SADDLE FROM SLIPPING BACK. BELL BOOTS PROTECT THE UPPER PART OF THE HOOF FROM OVER REACHING HIND FEET AS WELL AS OTHER HORSE S HOOFS. FOULS Generally, it is not very easy to spot a foul. Even for professional polo players, it can be very difficult to whether a foul has been committed or not. Although there is a 53 page polo rule book in the US, I will try to share it in a nutshell. Basically, a foul occurs if there is dangerous play. The play is dangerous when a player crosses in front of the player with the ball. Hence you should think about it this way: when the polo ball is hit, it creates an imaginary line and the polo players have to follow it. With each hit, the direction of the ball changes and so does the imaginary line. As a consequence of a foul, a penalty shot is awarded depending on where the foul was committed, or how severe it was. If the ball is hit past the back line by a defending player, a sixty-yard shot facing the spot where the ball went across the line is awarded.

SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS BRANDING AREA VVIP/VIP HOSPITALITY AREA ACCESS DATABASE ACCESS PARACHUTE FLAG SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN ACTIVATION AREA MEDIA CAMPAIGN SIGNED POLO TSHIRT SPONSORSHIP

8 SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS BRANDING AREA VVIP/VIP HOSPITALITY AREA ACCESS DATABASE ACCESS PARACHUTE FLAG SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN ACTIVATION AREA MEDIA CAMPAIGN SIGNED POLO TSHIRT SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS PRINT COVERAGE NEWS PAPER, MAGAZINE & FLYERS PRESS CONFERENCE KEY SPEAKER RADIO CAMPAIGN AWARD CEREMONY REPRESENTATIVE WEBSITES DRESS THE HOSTESS POLO TEAM SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS

9 MEDIA EXPOSURE PRINT MEDIA: EVENT BRIEF RED CRESCENT POLO MATCH AL Etihad Newspaper Al-Bayan Newspaper Al-Khaleej Newspaper Al wanda News Paper Al Fajr The National Gulf News Khaleej times Gulf Today Seven Days Emirates Today Race week Al Adeyat Magazine South African Polo Magazine Equistrio Polo Magazine. PQ International polo magazine UK Polo Buenos Aires Polo Magazine Argentina Some other International and national magazines/ Newspapers The event is organized by Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, Under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; The major objectives including Raising funds and donation for supporting Emirates Red Crescent; which is a nonprofit, humanitarian organization that provides rehabilitation and care services for children with special needs from all over the GCC. 35% VIP 55% PUBLIC 10% VVIP SOCIAL MEDIA: COMMUNITY CHARITY Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, Snapchat POLO AWARENESS BROADCAST MEDIA: Abu Dhabi Sports Channel/Dubai Sports Channel (subject to availability), Yas Tv, AD Sport 5, AD Sport 2. Some other GCC broadcasters (Infinity Channel, City TV etc), Arab 24, Al Ghad TV Polo Cam TV Live Broadcast. SPECTATORS: Every Polo tournament can host 2,000 guests depending on the sponsors invitation list.ghantoot can cater for 200 guests, outside caters are hired for increased numbers. EVENT PROGRAM 2:00pm Gates open & Activities Start 4:00pm VIP Hospitality begins 4:15pm Live stage entertainment 5:00pm UAE National anthem 5:15pm Team presentation & Polo Match Kicks off 6:15pm Award ceremony Lucky draw

10 PRINT MEDIA RED CRESCENT POLO MATCH FACEBOOK TWITTER SOCIAL MEDIA INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE

HIGHLIGHTS EVENT BRIEF AUTISM CHARITY POLO MATCH 35% 55% 10% VVIP VIP PUBLIC The event is organized by Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, under the patronage of H.

organization that provides rehabilitation and care services for children with special needs from all over the GCC.

11 HIGHLIGHTS EVENT BRIEF AUTISM CHARITY POLO MATCH 35% 55% 10% VVIP VIP PUBLIC The event is organized by Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; The major objectives including Raising funds and donation for supporting Future Centre for special needs; which is a nonproﬁt, humanitarian organization that provides rehabilitation and care services for children with special needs from all over the GCC. AWARENESS CHARITY POLO EVENT PROGRAM 2:00pm Gates open & Activities Start 3:00pm VIP Hospitality begins 4:00pm K9 Show & Games 4:30pm Horse Show & Trick Riding 5:00pm UAE National anthem 5:15pm Team presentation & Polo Match Kicks oﬀ 6:15pm Award ceremony Lucky draw & Best Dressed Competition COMMUNITY

12 PRINT MEDIA AUTISM CHARITY POLO MATCH FACEBOOK TWITTER SOCIAL MEDIA INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE

HIGHLIGHTS EVENT BRIEF PINK POLO 30% VIP 60% PUBLIC 10% VVIP ADCB Pink Polo organised by Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club is a fun day out created to support breast cancer awareness in the UAE.

13 HIGHLIGHTS EVENT BRIEF PINK POLO 30% VIP 60% PUBLIC 10% VVIP ADCB Pink Polo organised by Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club is a fun day out created to support breast cancer awareness in the UAE. Built around a polo exhibition game, the day also hosts various of activities each year; giving a variety of entertainment options for the entire family including camel and pony rides, falcon shows, golf lessons, camel polo, photo sessions with polo players and reserved picnic areas. Apart from all the fun part there was also free screenings and check ups BREAST CANCER AWARENESS CHARITY POLO FUN DAY EVENT PROGRAM 1:00 Gates Open 2:00 Activities Start 4:00 Balloon Release 5:00 Polo Exhibition Game 6:00 Award Ceremony

14 PRINT MEDIA PINK POLO FACEBOOK TWITTER SOCIAL MEDIA BROADCAST MEDIA INSTAGRAM

HIGHLIGHTS EVENT BRIEF 46 th UAE NATIONAL DAY POLO EXHIBITION 35% VIP 55% PUBLIC 10% VVIP Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, An

15 HIGHLIGHTS EVENT BRIEF 46 th UAE NATIONAL DAY POLO EXHIBITION 35% VIP 55% PUBLIC 10% VVIP Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club, An exhibition polo match between Ghantoot Team and Jannah team was held on Friday, November 25 th, 2016, to mark the UAE s 45th National Day. A Special horse parade was held by 45 UAE Nationals inorder to express the respect and grattitude towards the nation for its 45th National day celebration held in Ghantoot Racing & polo club. CELEBRATION FUN DAY POLO COMMUNITY EVENT PROGRAM 2:00pm Gates open for public 3:00pm VIP Hospitality, Entertainment activities, traditional food, traditional souq 4:45pm National anthem 5:00pm Polo Exhibition match 6:00pm Award ceremony, luckydraw

16 PRINT MEDIA 45 th UAE NATIONAL DAY POLO EXHIBITION FACEBOOK TWITTER SOCIAL MEDIA YOUTUBE INSTAGRAM

17 HIGHLIGHTS EVENT BRIEF AL AMAL POLO DAY 35% VIP 55% PUBLIC 10% VVIP The event is organized by Ghantoot Racing & Polo Club, under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Falah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; supporting Al Ain Centre for Special Care & Rehabilitation; which is a nonprofit, non-governmental humanitarian organization that provides rehabilitation and care services for children with special needs from all over the GCC. AWARENESS CHARITY POLO COMMUNITY EVENT PROGRAM 2:00 PM - Gates open & Activities start 3:30 PM - Horse entertainment performance 4:00 PM - VIP Hospitality begins 4:50 PM - UAE National anthem & Polo team presentation 5:00 PM - Exhibition polo match 6:30 PM - Award ceremony - Lucky Draw

18 PRINT MEDIA AL AMAL POLO DAY FACEBOOK SOCIAL MEDIA TWITTER BROADCAST MEDIA INSTAGRAM

HIGHLIGHTS EVENT BRIEF EMIRATES OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP INTERNATIONAL 35% VIP 55% PUBLIC 10% VVIP Open to all teams in the UAE, the prestigious Emirates Open Polo Championship showcases the very best

19 HIGHLIGHTS EVENT BRIEF EMIRATES OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP INTERNATIONAL 35% VIP 55% PUBLIC 10% VVIP Open to all teams in the UAE, the prestigious Emirates Open Polo Championship showcases the very best polo the country has to offer. The tournament brings together both professional and amateur players in a week-long schedule of matches for the coveted championship trophy. POLO TOURNAMENT LIVE MUSIC FUN DAY FIRE SHOW EVENT PROGRAM 2:00pm Gates open & Activities Start 4:00pm VIP Hospitality begins 4:15pm Entertainment Shows & Heritage Village 4:50pm Parachute Show 5:00pm UAE National anthem 5:15pm Team presentation & Final Polo Match Kicks off 6:15pm Award ceremony Lucky draw & Best Dressed Competition

20 PRINT MEDIA EMIRATES OPEN POLO CHAMPIONSHIP INTERNATIONAL FACEBOOK TWITTER SOCIAL MEDIA BROADCAST MEDIA INSTAGRAM

21 HIGHLIGHTS EVENT BRIEF H.H PRESIDENT OF UAE POLO CUP 35% VIP 55% PUBLIC 10% VVIP Bringing the polo season to a close, the HH President of the UAE Polo Cup is our most important and prestigious event of the year. Renowned as a showcase for some of the best polo in the UAE, the tournament attracts a large audience as the event is free for the public to attend and features picnic grounds and free family activities. POLO TOURNAMENT FUN DAY AIR SHOW LIVE MUSIC EVENT PROGRAM 2:00pm Gates open & Activities Start 3:00pm VIP Hospitality begins 3:30pm Entertainment Shows 4:30pm Al Fursan Aerobatic Show 5:00pm Team presentation & Final Polo Match Kicks off 6:30pm Award ceremony Lucky draw & Best Dressed Competition

22 PRINT MEDIA H.H PRESIDENT OF UAE POLO CUP FACEBOOK TWITTER SOCIAL MEDIA BROADCAST MEDIA INSTAGRAM

23 HIGHLIGHTS OUR MAJOR EVENTS

4-H Polocrosse Project

4-H Polocrosse Project What is Polocrosse? As the name implies, Polocrosse is a combination of polo and lacrosse. It is played outside, on a field, on horseback. Each rider uses a cane stick to which is